Drunk and distracted, Ross Coeland did not notice the cars in front of him had slowed.
The owner of a Mexican restaurant was drunk and distracted by his burrito when he crashed into traffic.
In Nelson District Court on Monday, Ross Richard John Coeland, 65, pleaded guilty to a charge of careless driving, and one of drink-driving on a subsequent offence.
The police summary of facts, read in court, described how Coeland was heading south along Whakatū Drive just after 2pm on Thursday, June 2.
Coeland, a part-owner of Mexican restaurant Nicola’s Cantina, had been drinking alcohol in Nelson, before picking up a burrito, which he ate as he drove south towards Richmond.
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“Due to his intoxication and distraction he failed to see a line of traffic which had slowed to a crawl approaching the Saxton Rd,” the court heard.
“When he eventually noticed the traffic ahead, he slammed his brakes and skidded, crashing hard into the rear of the trailing vehicle.”
Police found Coeland covered in food and smelling strongly of alcohol, the court heard. A breath test registered 861 micrograms of alcohol per litre of breath. The legal limit is 250mcg.
Coeland told police: “I had a couple of beers and was distracted eating my burrito as I drove home.”
Coeland has three previous drink-driving convictions, most recently from July 2017.
Judge Garry Barkle remanded Coeland until his sentencing on September 27.
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